Coolest Thing Made in Iowa Competition Narrows Down to Top 8

The Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI) and MidWestOne Bank announced on Thursday the eight products advancing to the next round in the Coolest Thing Made in Iowa competition. The eight Iowa-made products each won a head-to-head matchup in the Top 16 bracket-style tournament.

The competition aims to highlight the vibrant manufacturing industry within the state, which employs over 330,000 Iowans and creates $38 billion in economic output each year.

"We are proud of our state's manufacturers and the products they make," said Mike Ralston, ABI President. "The innovation, creativity, and utilization of technology happening every day is something to celebrate. We can't wait to see which product will be crowned the coolest."

The 2024 Top 8 Coolest Things Made in Iowa:

• Vermeer ZR5-1200 self-propelled baler (Vermeer Corporation, Pella)
• Tiki Bar Boats (Big Huts, Princeton)
• Musco Sports Lighting (Musco Lighting, Oskaloosa)
• Explosion-Proof Electric Motor (Bodine Electric Company, Peosta)
• Custom Built Pipe Organ (Dobson Pipe Organ Builders Ltd., Lake City)
• Butter Braid® Pastries (Country Maid, Inc., West Bend)
• Safe T Home (Sukup Manufacturing Co., Sheffield)
• Winnebago® Revel® (Winnebago, Lake Mills)

The next round of bracket voting will consist of four head-to-head matchups that will determine the Top 4 Coolest Things Made in Iowa. Voting begins on Friday, May 10 and will conclude at midnight on Thursday, May 16. Manufacturers, consumers, and the public are invited to vote daily in all four matchups at www.coolestthingia.com